Stop Swinging and Start Aiming 🎯🥊

Hey Fighters!

I was talking to a client this week about aiming, which seems so basic in boxing. The core instruction is simple: Aim for your target, then punch through your target.

But think about it—when many people first start boxing, they punch in the general direction of their target. Their arm is moving, their energy is exerted, but the power lands vaguely, or not at all. To generate maximum power and effectiveness, you have to look at exactly where you want to hit and then place your punch precisely in that spot. It's like aiming an arrow: pointing it at the bullseye helps you hit the target, while waving the bow around in the general direction won't do the trick.

The Precision of Purpose and Intention

Another critical point about aiming is that it's not enough to simply point at the target—we must have the intention to hit it and hit through it. This intention affects how our mind translates the movement of our body.

Boxing is not about tapping the mitt or playing a game of tag. It is about connecting with a goal, which is your opponent. We often want so badly to get the immediate satisfaction of hitting all the possible targets that we forget the main point: punching with intention and delivering an effective, focused action.

That conversation stuck with me because it applies to so much more than just a straight back hand. If you feel like you're putting in the work but not seeing the results in your career, finances, or personal life, you might be throwing general punches at a general goal.

When we set out to achieve something in life, we often define it vaguely: "I want to be successful," or "I want to be healthier," or "I want to grow my business." These are lovely intentions, but they lack the necessary bullseye. They give us nowhere to place our punch with conviction.

Just consider the difference between a vague movement and focused motion. If the target is broad—like "improve my finances"—we often end up swinging aimlessly, expending energy on countless pieces of busywork that leave us feeling exhausted but not advanced. But when we define a clear, specific bullseye—a new project, a measurable personal achievement, or a specific deadline—our effort instantly becomes more focused. It's the difference between flailing your arms and placing one perfect, impactful shot.

Just as a strike thrown with precision and intention generates the most power in the ring, a specific goal generates the most power and efficiency in your life. This clarity cuts through wasted effort and brings us significantly closer to what we really want.

This week, take a lesson from the ring: stop swinging vaguely. Take a moment to look at your biggest goal and ask yourself: What is the one, specific bullseye I need to hit next? Once you define it, put your full power and intention behind it.

Can you share a general goal that you can make more specific?